The Fundamentals of Post-Tensioned Concrete Design and Implementation – Ep 097

In this episode, we talk to Dirk Bondy, a lecturer at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and the University of California, Los Angeles, and co-author of the book "Post-Tensioned Concrete: Principles and Practice", who shares his insights on using post-tensioned concrete in projects and the importance of foundational knowledge in education. *** View the video version of the episode here *** Here Are Some of the Questions We Ask Dirk: Could you explain the concept of post-tensioned concrete? You co-authored a book titled "Post-Tensioned Concrete: Principles and Practice." Could you provide an overview of the book and its practical applications for structural engineers? What advantages does post-tensioned concrete offer in engineering projects? What motivates you to continue teaching post-tensioned concrete at two universities? Is your YouTube channel featuring your lectures still accessible online? What is the current status of structural engineering education? Do you have any advice for aspiring engineers? Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed About The Fundamentals of Post-Tensioned Concrete Design and Implementation: Post-tensioned concrete is a specialized and growing field of structural engineering and concrete design. It uses active reinforcement to create large forces that can lift the concrete, control cracking, and flatten floors, allowing for less material usage and greater efficiency. Although initially met with fear, it has become popular and widely used in modern construction. The book discussed is divided into two halves, with the first half being notes used to teach a class and the second half providing practical examples for practicing engineers. Despite the author's expectations, the book was not well-received by the university community but has been popular among practicing engineers. The second half of the book, which includes design examples and pictures of projects, has been particularly successful. University professors are more inclined to teach prestressed concrete from a precast perspective. When working with post-tension concrete, problems such as exploding or vibrating concrete can arise due to poor handling or overbalancing. To prevent such issues, it is crucial to take the necessary precautions and show respect for the concrete. Using stud rails for confinement is highly recommended. It is important to strike a balance in post-tensioning engineering and avoid excessive conservatism. Dirk was asked to teach the pre-stressed concrete class at UCLA in 2011, which had been canceled before that. The class became very successful, and the students were happy with it. In 2014, he was asked to teach pre-stressed concrete to students at Cal Poly, which had also canceled the class. Dirk used videos from UCLA to teach the course online and found that students were able to learn just as well, if not better, than in a traditional classroom setting. He now teaches the same course at both schools, and it has been successful in attracting the best engineering minds in the region. UCLA used to tape lectures and make them available to students for later viewing. Many universities, including Harvard and MIT, started making courses available to the public, but a lawsuit brought by attorneys allegedly representing the hearing impaired caused the universities to shut down their online courses. Dirk bought his videos from UCLA and put them on YouTube to make them available to the public. He is a big fan of the concept of making courses available to anyone who wants to watch them and has received over 10,000 subscribers on YouTube. Many professors prioritize new and exciting software and tend to disregard fundamental principles in engineering. The speaker believes that universities should focus on teaching ...